Multiplatform scaffolds



P 1959 v. w. MENG ET AL 2,904,126

MULTIPLATFORM SCAFFOLDS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 27, 1955 I hllslirlf p 1959 v. w. MENG ET AL 2,904,126

MULTIPLATFORM SCAFFOLDS Filed Dec. 27, 1955 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 5United States Patent MULTIPLATFORM SCAFFOLDS Victor W. Meng, GardenCity, and Arthur C. Borgman,

Franklin Square, N.Y., assignors to The Patent Scaffolding Co., Inc.,Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application December27, 1955, Serial No. 555,424 *1 Claim. (Cl. 182-103) This inventionrelates to scaffolds, and more particularly to a multiplatform structureof this character adapted for use by bricklayers, masons and otherconstruction workers above the ground.

The invention provides a scaffold with a plurality of platforms movablefreely along a vertical frame to any desired level.

The invention also provides a multiplatform structure of the characterreferred to with one platform raised above the level of the otherplatforms.

The invention further provides a multiplatform structure which may bereadily disassembled and erected at a different location.

Still further, the invention provides a multiplatform structure whichmay be added to existing conventional scaifolds.

Yet further, the invention provides a multiplatform structure which willreduce the time and effort for construction workers.

The scaffold of the present invention consists essentially of aplurality of uprights which are suitably spaced and transversely andlongitudinally joined by a number of horizontal and inclined braces toform parallel rows of vertical ladders, a base support for the ladders,and a multiplatform frame which is vertically slidable along theuprights of said ladders, with one platform raised above thelevel of theremaining platforms. The frame carries a plurality of winches forraising or lowering the platforms to a desired level. 7

Other objects, features and advantages of the novel structure willbecome apparent in the course of the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment which is illustrated in theac'companying drawing,and and the invention will be finally pointed out in the appended claim.7

1 In the drawing, wherein similar characters of reference indicatesimilar elements,

Fig.' 1 is a perspective illustration of the elevating multiplatformscaffold with .the bricklayers platform closest to the wall structure; v

Fig. 2 is an end view of the scaffold, as seen from the left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates a pair of modified vertically adjustable scaffoldlegs;

Fig. 4 is a view of a detached ladder forming one composite uprightmember of the stationary elevating scaffold frame;

Fig. 5 is a detailed illustration of one of the winches shown in Figs. 1and 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the upper end of the elevating scaffold,with the multiplatform frame in its uppermost position;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the hoist arm;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of one of the upper sheaves, as viewedin the direction of arrows on line 99 in Fig. 6.

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Referring now in detail to the illustrated structure, and moreparticularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a threeunit elevating scaffold10, having a stationary frame 10a including four base members Ila-d,four composite upright ladders 12-15, each consisting of respectiveuprights 12a-15a and 12b15b, and horizontals 12c-15c, with cross braces16a-18a and 1612-18b for connecting the base support members Ila-11d,diagonal braces 19a, 19b, 21a, 2112 between upright ladders 12, 13,braces 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b between upright ladders 14, 15, and a hoistarm 23 attached to the top of ladder 15. The vertically movable frame10b includes composite transverse horizontal base members 24-27, guardrail 28, four rigid structural members 29-32 integral with acorresponding one of base members 2427 of frame 10b, each of saidstructural members having a pair of verticals 29a32a and 29b--32b, andhorizontals 29c--32c, each of said horizontals consisting of a pair ofL-shaped members for supporting the ends of planks forming the platformC. Platforms A and B are supported on horizontal base members 24-27.Four winches gener-ally indicated by numerals 33a-d are rigidly attachedto verticals 29b32b. These winches, in cooperation with various sheavewheels attached to the stationary frame lila and to the movable frame10b, respectively, cause the frame 10b to ascend or descend along thestationary frame 10a into a position most suitable for, say, abricklayer standing on platform A to pick up bricks stacked on platformC and continue with the construction of wall D, as shown in Fig. l. Theplatform tender or tenders standing on platform B are in charge ofsupplying the necessary materials for the bricklayers onto platform C,and also operate the rope 35 over pulley 34 on hoist arm 23 by means ofwhich the supplieslare lifted from the ground.

The lowermost positions A, B, C of the platforms A, B, C are indicatedin Fig. 1 in dotted lines.

Additional reinforcing and connecting braces 36a41a and 36b-41b areprovided in the proximity ofthe upper ends of members 12-15. It will benoted that all braces With the exception of braces 19a22a and 19b 22bare so connected as not to impede the movable frame 10b when the latterslides along the members 12-15, suspended'on cables 42a-d, each cablehaving one end anchored in one of the respective cable drums 59a-d ofwinches '33ad (see Figs. 2 and 6), and the other end attached to thejunction of respective upright and horizontal members 29a32a and 29c32c.Each of members 2427 also consists of a pair of spaced parallel beams,such as L-beams, with sheaves 43a-46a and 43b4 6b rotatably supportedtherebetween to slide along respective uprights 12a15a and 12b15b. Asstated, horizontals 29c32c similarly consist of pairs of spaced parallelmembers with sheaves 47a-50a and .47b-50b therebetween to slide alongthe same uprights 12a15a and 12b15b. Cables 42ad pass over pulleys51a54a and 51b-54b attached to the upper ends of uprights 12a-15a and12b15b.

As better seen in Figs. 2 and 4, braces 16-18, 19-22 and 3641 areattached to uprights 12a-15a and 12b-15b by wing nuts 55a screwed ontobolts 55 but, obviously, any other suitable brace lock may be employed.

In Figs. 1 and 2, base members Ila-d consist of transverse horizontalI-beams supported on a pair of short units of the same contour, and eachone of uprights 12a15a and 12b-15b is provided with a bore 56 forreception of studs 57, the latter being integral with bases 11ad andheld in respective bores by cotter pins 58 or the like.

Fig. 3 illustrates an adjustable base for the uprights 12a15a and 12b15bin the form of vertically retraca 3 tive or projectable legs includingbase members 111, externally threaded inner leg members 157 and rings158 which are provided with internally threaded nuts meshingwith theexternal threads on members 157 to -move the same/into rorfout of .thebores 156 in the respective .upfig'h'ts. Caster wheels may replace"blocks'111 to permit short-distancetransportation of the erectedsca'fio'ld I "Winches'33a-d may be of any conventional construction,such as shown for example in Figs. 2 and '5. As illustrated, winc'h33aincludes a cable drum 59a rotatably supported in frame 6000f invertedU-shape and securely connected to the upright member 2%. A pair ofratchets 61a, 62a cooperate Withfpawls 63a, 64a, and a crank 66a isprovided to operate 'the winch by rotating the drum 590 after theselected ones of pawls 63:1,:6411 eitheriengage orrelease ratchets761a',62a.

' As illustrated in Figs. .6 and'8, one parallel beam of themem'berl29cis interrupted in the proximity of upright 12b to permit the passage 'ofthe ends of diagonal braces 19a, 19b and 21a, 21b therethrough. Areinforcing diagonal beam"67a is shownin Fig. 6 to support the"platform'C.

While the hoist arm is shown at the right hand end of 'the multiplatformscaffold, it may be attached to any of theladders 12, '13, 14 or at bothends of the scaffold.

The planks forming platforms A and B need not be of 'a predeterminedlength "since these platforms are outside of the scaffold structure atall times. However, the planks of the platformC are cut'to size to fitbetween the respective 'L-members of horizontal supports 29c32c, wherebyth'e horizontals 120-150 and uprights 12a--*15a and 1'2b-15b are free tomove between the spaced 'elejm'ents 29c-32c. When the structure ismounted on casters, "it is simply pushed along the Wall, "whereas 'alengthy transportation'requires dismantling of thescafiold. It isbelieved "that 'a center platform C lifted about 30 inches :above thelevel platforms A and Bwill be 'most convenient to the workers standingon the outer platform A.

The scaffold shown in 'Fig. 1 is open at its side facing the wall D sothat the construction worker is free to reach for materials on platformC irrespective of the position of frame 10b. The structure is rigidlyconnected by braces 16-18, '3638, 3941 and 19-22, which simplifies theconstruction "of the 'slidable frame 10b since slots must be providedtherein for passage of braces 19-22 only, braces 39-41 being above theuppermost 'lcvel'oftheplat'formframe 10b (see Fig.6).

It -will'be seen that we have provided a novel structure whichconsists-of a'stationary multi-unit, preferably collapsible 'scafioldand a multiplatform frame which is vertifcally slidable along thescaffold uprights, with one or more of the platforms -'at differentlevels. The platform frame and the scaffold are so constructed that afree movement is possible while one of the platforms is within thescaffold frame. -By providing vertically adjustable legs and casterwheels at the lower ends of the uprights, the structure is adjustable onuneven ground and trans All the elements of the stationary scaffold andthe slid- -aole frame 'are so constructed and connected as to be easilyand quickly disassembled for transportation or storage. The scaffoldframe may consist of collapsible units which may be superimposed in awell known manner as is customary with elevated scafiolds.

Several changes and modifications may occur to persons skilled in theart within the spirit of this invention, and we therefore do not desireto be limited to the exact details -of-the device shown and described,but only by "the scope of'the-appended:c1aim.

We "claim: 7

In combination: two aligned rectangular sectional scaffolds eachcomprising two spaced parallel ladders, each ladder consisting of twointerconnected uprights and each having an inner side and an outer side,means for connecting the upper and lower ends, respectively, of theladders in each scaffold, and braces for connecting one upright of oneladder with the aligned upright of the versely beyond each ladder, aninner and outer plank support connectedto and-disposed above the levelof each horizontal support, said inner and said outer planksupports-being parallel with and spaced from each-other for permittingthe passage of a ladder therebetween, each inner plank support extendinginwardly from the open side of eachscatfold and short of saidsecondside, the assembly of each horizontal support and an inner and anouter plank support connected therewith constituting a rigid unitmovablein vertical directions along one of I said ladders; a first'platform onsaid horizontal supports portable along the building under constructionor repair. 3

adjacentto'the open sides :of said scaffolds; asecond platform 011 saidhorizontal supports adjacent to said second side; arp'lurality ofhorizontal platforms above the levels :of :said firstiand said .secondplatforms and each extend- :ing between adjacent .pairs of inner andouter iplank supports, respectively; and means for moving thehorizontalisupports along said ladders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS378,810 Strout Feb. 28, 1888 554,024 Gilbreth Feb. 4, 1896 588,982 GrayAug. 31, 1897 657,396 Curley Sept. 4, 1900 771,878 Laughlin Oct. -11,1904 1,168,868 'Ericsson Jan. 18, 1916 2,790,684 Sprinkel Apr. 30,1957

FOREIGN, PATENTS 15,346 Great Britain Dec. 21, :1914

